Nestor houghton



vUID SA'IES I? -l NESTOR HOUGH'ION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPRING-BEDSTEAD.

Speccacon of Letters Patent No. 34,500, dated February 25, 1862.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NESTOR HoUGHToN, of the city, county, and State of'New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

These improvements consist in first, the combination and arrangement of elastic laths, so made and constructed, that the central part is thicker than either end, with spiral springs, substantially as hereinafter described. Second, t-he combination with the above mentioned laths, of head and foot oscillating cross pieces so constructed as to receive the ends of the laths in loose mortises in such a manner as to allow the said cross pieces to vibrate so as to correspond with the' supports. Fig. 2, is a top view of the bed-I stead. Fig. 3, is an end viewl sho-wing one of t-he oscillating cross pieces with the lath ends in their position.

General description-One or two, or sometimes all of three inconveniences have heretofore been experienced in the various spring bedsteads now in use. The liability of the double conical spring or other spiral springs as now used, to displacement or dei rangement by a downward and lateral pressure, and the annoyance in transportation and difficulty of cleaning arising from the bulk of a stationary and fixed frame for holding the springs. Also the want of proper compensation for the lengthening by depression of thin laths suspended to the outstretched ends of fixed spiral springs thereby throwing the entire elongating and elastic force on said springs. To obviate these, and to embrace within itself all the advantages of elasticity, stability, portability, &c., the present invention is intended.

l, l, the side pieces, with mortises to receive the tenons of the tie pieces 2, 2', and lower spring seat 3, 3, all of which are held together by the pins 4, fl, &c. 5, 5', &c. the spiral springs which abut against and partly into the thick part of the elastic laths 6, 6 &c. The ends of these laths are received into loose mortises cut in the head and foot cross pieces 8, 8', which oscillate on pins formed on, or placed in their ends, and let into the top part of t-he sides 1, 1. The elastic laths are confined in their position by the pins 9, 9, &c. passed through the foot cross pieces 8', from the top and through a slot cut in that end of the laths 7 7. The ends of the laths passing through the loose mortises in the head cross piece 8, have no fastening but move freely through said cross piece in order to compensate for any lengthening or shortening of the laths caused by depression or otherwise.

10, 10, are the feetholding upward and inward on a pin placed in one end and held in either position by the spring catches l2, 12', &c.

From the above description it is evident that the before mentioned inconveniences are entirely obviated. All displacement or derangement of the springs by lateral pressure is prevented by their tops being embodied in the laths, whoseends are secured in the mortises in the head and foot oscillating cross pieces, consequently all pressure must be vertical on the springs. The compensation for elongation in the laths caused by depression or otherwise is fully provided for, by the oscillating head and foot cross pieces, allowing free action to the ends of the laths through the mortises. The facility for being taken apart, and its consequent portability is also clear. The peculiar attachment ofthe feet, and the movable head board also admit of its being used as a spring frame on another bedstead. From the arrangement of the entire, and the comparatively small number of springs, the cost of construction will be much less than for the ordinary spring bedstead.

Claims. parts being constructed, arranged, and op l. The combination and arrangement of eratng substantially as set forth.

the elastic laths made and constructed as described, with spiral springs substantially NESTO HOUGHTON' 5 as and for the purpose above described. Wtnesses5 2. The combination With the laths 6, 6, G. Gr. GRISWOLD, 6, 6 of the oscillating cross pieces 8, the I L. A. ROBERTS. 

